Meet the Founders
Three Animal Lovers Who Write
Nancy
Amelia Indie Authors Creative Director Nancy Blanton writes award-winning novels based on 17th-century Irish history. Her latest, When Starlings Fly as One, is based on the personal account of Sir Arthur Freke, the owner of Rathbarry Castle in County Cork.
Irish forces besieged Rathbarry for nine months in 1642—the longest siege in centuries of Ireland’s history. That history has long been told by English voices, but the Irish perspectives continue to rise. This is not a classic hero’s journey but a story of war, struggle, spirit, and survival -- a story of two sides.
The Earl in Black Armor tells a relentless story of loyalty, honor, and betrayal in the Stuart era before the great Irish Rebellion of 1641. The Prince of Glencurragh, her second novel, occurs in 1634 during the English Plantation of Ireland. Her first novel, Sharavogue, is set in Ireland and the West Indies during the time of Oliver Cromwell.
In non-fiction, Brand Yourself Royally in 8 Simple Steps is also a medalist, providing a valuable guide for authors, artists, and business consultants. She blogs about writing, books, historical fiction, research, and travel. Nancy is a member of the Historical Novel Society.
Blanton is also a frequent guest author on the UK blog, Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots.
She has worked as a journalist, magazine editor, corporate communications leader, and brand manager. She lives on Amelia Island, where her cats, Chuck and Dave, demand equal time.
Andrea
Andrea Patten is a creative problem-solver. She’s also our Director of Operations. Her latest book, The Inner Critic Advantage: Making Peace with the Noise in your Head, is a case in point. Her unique approach and humor help readers turn an often-crippling inner foe into an alarm-sounding friend who simply needs to be heard… and, perhaps, a time-out. The book is a gold-medal winner in the Florida Authors and Publishers Association President’s Awards.
Previously, she co-authored What Kids Need to Succeed: Four Foundations of Adult Achievement and created several related workshops and training programs. Her work on strategies for embracing healthy change has earned her speaking slots at numerous regional and national conferences.
Andrea’s unique blend of clinical and business skills led to a successful career in organizational start-ups and turnarounds, work she continues as a board member for an international anti-violence organization. However she channels it, Andrea’s slightly offbeat brand of support has helped countless individuals, families, and authors find nirvana. (Just kidding.) Solutions, serenity, and confidence.
Meanwhile, when not practicing yoga with mom, her canine companion Brava is considering trading in competition training for becoming an Instagram star.
David-Matthew
David-Matthew Barnes is an author, poet, and teacher. His genres? Many: contemporary romance, young adult novels, stage plays, and horror films, for example. He is the author of the dance-themed novelette Fast Beat. His poetry has been featured in several literary journals, magazines, and anthologies, including Halfway Down the Stairs and the My Front Door series presented by Silver Birch Press.
DM graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English before earning an MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina.
He is a member of Gothic Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. He loves film noir, white chocolate, classic cartoons, koalas, Julie London records, Nancy Drew, the Peanuts gang, Disney villains, all things Tiki, Italy, and everything written by Jane Austen. DM is the proud parent of both cats and dogs, all of whom might just be a teeny, tiny bit spoiled.